RICHMOND, Va., July
17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Two years after the easing of travel
restrictions to Cuba for Americans, an annual survey* by leading
travel insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance reveals that fewer
people are interested in taking a trip to the island nation than
before—and that there is lingering confusion surrounding the current
travel policy.

Allianz Global
Assistance USA

This year's survey
shows that 13 percent of Americans are interested in traveling to
Cuba—a dramatic 27 percent drop from 2017, when 40 percent said they
would be interested in visiting the country. The 2018 poll also
revealed that 82 percent of respondents report being unlikely to plan
a trip to Cuba (a six percent increase from 2017).

The survey asked
Americans about the recent news of major U.S. airlines expanding
service between the United States and Cuba and cruise lines adding
more Cuban ports to their itineraries. Only 18 percent of Americans
are more interested in visiting the country as a result of these new
developments, while eight percent report feeling less interested in
visiting Cuba. Almost three-fourths (73 percent) indicated that they
were unaffected by this news.

According to the
survey results, many Americans feel uncertain about the legality and
logistics of traveling to Cuba. In the wake of revised restrictions
for U.S. travelers, as well as the elimination of individual "people-to-people"
cultural exchange trips, the survey found that many Americans are
confused about whether, and how, they can legally travel to the
Caribbean nation. A staggering 55 percent of American survey
respondents do not understand the current restrictions on travel to
Cuba. U.S. travel to Cuba for the purpose of pure tourism was banned
by the U.S. government in 1963. It is still not permitted under U.S.
or Cuban law—American travelers' reasons for visiting Cuba must
generally fall within one of these 12 categories of authorized travel.

The 2018 survey also
measured American sentiment regarding Cuba, revealing that 38 percent
of American respondents believe that Cuba has changed for the better
since travel restrictions to the country were eased. This represents a
four percent increase in Americans expressing this belief, up from 34
percent in the 2017 survey.

Response

2016

2017

2018

% change

How likely are you to actually plan a trip to Cuba?

Very Likely

7%

5%

3%

-2%

Somewhat Likely

22%

19%

15%

-4%

Not Likely

70%

76%

82%

+6%

If you feel likely to take a trip to Cuba, when do you think you
will go?

In the next 6 months

2%

2%

1%

-1%

(Within the same year)

Sometime in 2016
– 2%

Sometime in 2017 – 2%

Sometime in 2018 – 2%

N/A

(Sometime in the next year)

Sometime in

2017 – 10%

Sometime in 2018 – 10%

Sometime in 2019 – 5%

-5%

I don't know

34%

28%

25%

-3%

I don't feel likely to take a trip to Cuba

53%

59%

67%

+8%

Are you concerned the influx of American travelers over the years
will ruin the timeless feeling of the country?

Very concerned

7%

7%

4%

-3%

Concerned

12%

8%

7%

-1%

Mildly concerned

19%

17%

8%

-9%

Neutral

29%

29%

27%

-2%

Not concerned, it will not change

14%

14%

15%

+1%

Not concerned, it will change for the better

20%

25%

38%

+13%

Would the peace of mind of having travel insurance change your
interest in traveling to Cuba?

Yes, more interested with travel insurance

14%

15%

8%

+7%

No, it doesn't address my concerns

45%

39%

33%

-6%

Unchanged, I don't want to travel to Cuba

41%

46%

60%

+14%

"Our survey found
that only one percent of Americans think they will go to Cuba in the
next six months, two percent believe they will make it there by the
end of 2018 and five percent think they will go sometime in 2019,"
said Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Global
Assistance USA. "Despite airlines and cruise lines expanding their
services to Cuba, there still seems to be confusion regarding the
current travel restrictions to the country."

The survey also
indicated that eight percent of Americans would be more interested in
traveling to Cuba with the peace of mind provided by travel insurance.

Allianz Global
Assistance offers travel insurance** through most major U.S. airlines,
leading travel agents, online travel agencies, and other travel
suppliers, as well as directly to consumers. For more information on
Allianz Global Assistance and the policies offered for travelers,
please visit: http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com.

*Methodology: The
2018 10-question survey was administered to the U.S. internet
population from June 22, 2018 through June 24, 2018, receiving 1,500.
The methodology is explained here and a snapshot of survey findings
are listed below:

1. Are you interested
in traveling to Cuba?

13.2% - Yes

12.0% - Maybe

74.7% - No

2. Does the recent
news of airlines expanding service between the U.S. and Cuba and
cruise lines adding more Cuba itineraries, make you more or less
interested in visiting Cuba?

18.3% - More
Interested

8.0% - Less
Interested

73.6% - No Change

3. Do you understand
the current travel restrictions on travel to Cuba?

22.3% - Yes

21.2% - Somewhat
Familiar

56.5% - No

4. How likely are you
to actually plan a trip to Cuba?

3.1% - Very Likely

15.0% - Somewhat
Likely

82.0% - Not Likely

5. If you feel likely
to take a trip to Cuba, when do you think you will go?

1.0% - In the next 6
months

1.7% - Within the
same year

4.9% - Sometime in
the next year

25.3% - I don't know

67.1% - I don't feel
likely to take a trip to Cuba

6. What makes you
less interested/likely to travel to Cuba?

14.7% - Safety
concerns

5.0% - Lack of info
on Cuba's travel experiences

5.6% - Fear of
government

3.3% - Lack of travel
infrastructure

2.1% - Lack of
internet/mobile connectivity

1.8% - Lack of
appropriate healthcare facilities

67.6% - None of these

7. What would make
you most interested/likely to travel to Cuba?

12.6% - Resorts and
beaches

14.0% - Cultural
attractions

4.4% - Cuban food and
Cuban rum

3.5% - Classic 1950s
American cars

2.0% - Cuban cigars

2.1% - Family/friends

61.4% - None of these

8. What negative
changes do you think opening Cuba to U.S. travelers has had on the
country since 2014?

5.4% - Rapid
modernization; Cuba's not ready for it

4.1% - The next
Cancun; a theme park for tourists

4.7% - A loss of
Cuban culture

3.4% - An increase in
all-inclusive resort hotels

3.7% - Overcrowding
of world-heritage sites

33.0% - I don't think
negative changes have occurred

45.6% - Other

9. Are you concerned
the influx of American travelers over the years will ruin the timeless
feeling of the country?

4.4% - Very concerned

7.3% - Concerned

8.3% - Mildly
concerned

27.0% - Neutral

14.8% - Not concerned,
it will not change

38.3% - Not concerned,
it will change for the better

10. Would the peace
of mind of having travel insurance change your interest in traveling
to Cuba?

7.7% - Yes, more
interested with travel insurance

32.5% - No, it
doesn't address my concerns

59.8% - Unchanged, I
don't want to travel to Cuba

Allianz Global
Assistance USA

Allianz Global
Assistance USA (AGA Service Company) is a leading consumer specialty
insurance and assistance company. We provide insurance to 35 million
customers annually and are best known for our Allianz Travel Insurance
plans. In addition to travel insurance, Allianz Global Assistance USA
offers tuition insurance, event ticket protection, registration
protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services
such as international medical assistance and concierge services. The
company also serves as an outsource provider for in-bound call center
services and claims administration for property and casualty insurers
and credit card companies.

To learn more about
Allianz Travel Insurance, please visit allianztravelinsurance.com or
Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/AllianzTravelInsuranceUS.

**Terms, conditions,
and exclusions apply to all plans. Plans are available only to U.S.
residents. Not all plans are available in all jurisdictions. For a
complete description of the coverage and benefit limits offered under
your plan, carefully review your plan's Letter of
Confirmation/Declarations and Certificate of Insurance/Policy.
Insurance coverage is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH,
Administrative Office: Oakbrook Terrace, IL), rated "A-" (Excellent)
by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series,
or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: Richmond,
VA), rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No.
101-C series or 101-P series, or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
and Affiliated Companies (One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH
43215-2200), under Form Nos. SRTC 2000 and NSHTC 2500, each rated "A+"
(Superior) by A.M. Best Co., depending on state of residence. Allianz
Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA
Service Company or its affiliates. AGA Service Company is the licensed
producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of
Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special
benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service
Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Non-insurance
benefits/products are provided and serviced by AGA Service Company.

Cubanálisis -
El Think-Tank

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